Lighted Yacht Parade

I took a kayak out onto the water with my daughter and we got a nice close up view. The lights are very beautiful and some boats have music. We launched from Jack London Aquatic Center in Oakland. If you are viewing from land, the better place to watch is on the other side on Alameda Island near the Marina Village Yacht Harbor.

My friend and I went a double date to see the Lighted Yacht Parade, not really knowing what to expect. It turned out to be the best double dates I’ve ever been on! So much fun, I’m definitely gonna go again!

I have see flyers for this yacht club event for years, but it always seemed like I was going to a Sharks game when they held this event. It is usually held that first Saturday in December.
This year, I actually sold my Sharks ticket just so I could to this. That should tell those that know me the level of my commitment to see boats with Christmas Lights on them.
Since I know the parade «route» pretty well, I figured going to the Oakland side would be better. After watching it from the southern most point of Jack London Square, I’m not convinced of this notion, but I did get some great pictures nonetheless.
It was an atypical East Bay night (as it has been for the better part of this last 2 months of 2009), but that made the event even more festive. It did seem to start 30 minutes late, but it was worth it. Lots of cool creative crafts shimmering in the darkened Estuary. People both on the yachts and along the route were in great moods.
I think it is a must event for East Bay Unilocalers. Go to this event and then make reservations for dinner somewhere in the Jack London Square area after. Or, be like fellow Unilocaler Ann, take the the Ferry and stay warm and toasty and have some alcohol, too.
If, like me, you are a picture taker… some tips: 1) bring a tripod; 2) don’t shoot with a flash; 3) try to stay out of being in a brightly lit area (which makes it harder to get the variety of Xmas lights on these boats).
All in all, a pretty cool thing for that little area of the East Bay. Mele Kalikimaka everyone.

We went to to see the Lighted Yacht Parade in Oakland’s Jack London Square on Saturday, 12÷5÷09.
We were going to go to Jack London Square to see it, but before the day came I found out that the Alameda/​Oakland Ferry was a way to see it.
The Alameda/​Oakland Ferry was giving a FREE ride with a toy to be given to the Toy for Tots program. If you didn’t have a toy, then adult ticket was $ 6.25. The boat was leaving at 5:15pm and to be back at 6:45pm. The other highlight was the boat was going to be IN the Parade! Alright!
Tons of people were there even though not advertised at all. I guess since it’s was their 33^rd yr of having it, others must have been doing this for yrs.
We got there really late like 4:50pm and we were worried that we couldn’t get on, but I think they let everyone in the line go. That was nice.
We brought our own sandwiches to eat on the boat. Dress warmly since can be Cold outside.
There were many boats decorated w/​lights. Snowman, Santas, stars, snowflakes. It was nice.
I recommend the boat ride on the Alameda/​Oakland Ferry or standing by the water at Jack London Square for next yr.
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